| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 0.70 Miles |
400 AEG |
| | Hiking | 0.70 Miles | 1 Hour | | 0.70 mph |
| 400 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | | The most geologically recent of the three natural bridges is Kachina, characterized by a relatively small opening beneath a very thick span, making the arch difficult to spot from the highway. The path to the bridge is the longest of the three so not as many people make the hike, despite it being quite easy. The trail begins next to Kachina overlook; it descends a little, rounds a promontory beneath the viewpoint then drops down a lot more via many stone steps, to a junction with the canyon trail, here running a little way above the streambed in order to avoid a big pour-off just upstream. Turning right, the path soon reaches the wash, via a short ladder at one point, then follows alongside the stream to the bridge, which spans White Canyon just as it joins Armstrong Canyon and is enclosed on most sides by vertical cliffs, rising rather higher then the bridge itself. The thickness of the bridge and the steepness of the surrounding rocks make the large area underneath particularly cool and shady, though this also makes photography rather difficult, especially as the arch is in shadow most of the day, and further obscured by tall cottonwood trees that grow at either side. This is a quiet, peaceful place most of the time but subject to occasional stormy conditions as shown both from the large mass of sandstone boulders on the north side, remains of 4,000 tons of rock that fell from the bridge in 1992, and the deep pools and big piles of driftwood along the streambed - results of the powerful flash floods that often tear through the canyon, especially during the summer thunderstorm season. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
